Beneath the happy-go-lucky exterior, it has been a tortuous few months for Jose Izquierdo.

The Albion winger has been comforted by the prayers of a friendly priest back in Colombia during a double injury setback which has tested his upbeat persona.

Faith has always been important to Izquierdo. "I believe in God," he said. "I grew up with that belief."

In public the smile has remained, in private Izquierdo has been in a dark place coping with the left knee problems which wrecked his World Cup, have restricted his involvement with Albion and have remained hidden until now.

"I have a father (priest) in Colombia that is a good friend of mine," Izquierdo revealed.

"I have a conversation with him about things in this period, all periods.

"We talk about the situation. He's prayed for me. Sometimes when I lose or feel a little bit tired, he gives me a hand and tries to give me motivation.

"I speak to him on the phone and also WhatsApp."

Izquierdo was in a good place when his troubles began in the summer. A promising debut season with Albion after signing from Brugge in Belgium, enriched by five goals in 32 appearances, clinched a place for his country in Russia.

He started Colombia's opening defeat by Japan (below), lasting 70 minutes despite feeling something in his knee which he dismissed as "a kick" which would wear off.

The Argus: He woke up the following morning in pain but, desperate not to be sent home, continued training.

Izquierdo played no part in Colombia's subsequent victories over Poland and Senegal and defeat by England on penalties in the last 16.

"When I finished the World Cup I had a scan which showed a small tear," he said. "I went a long time without doing anything in the holidays and it felt okay, in the gym, running, taking care of myself.

"When I arrived here (Albion) the first two trainings I felt something strange, that my knee went out and then back.

"We did another scan and the tear was flip-flopped up and when the bone hit the meniscus (cartilage) it made the knee go out and it was not good.

"There was a lot of risk of damage in other parts of the knee so then we made the decision to have surgery, so then I had August, September and October recovery."

Izquierdo began his comeback from the bench at Manchester City. He was involved in a hat-trick of 1-0 wins in October, setting up Beram Kayal's decisive goal at Newcastle (below), and featured in the 2-1 victory at today's visitors Huddersfield at the start of December. Three days later at the Amex he was struck down again.

The Argus: "I played ten games and then I was unlucky against Palace," he said. "I got again another tear, in the same meniscus, but at the back. The first one was at the front.

"The player I am and the characteristics I have, I turn too much and stress my knees so I need a lot of meniscus."

A second operation was ruled out on medical advice in favour of rest and Izquierdo made his second comeback as a late substitute in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Leicester (below).

The Argus: The 26-year-old said: "It feels great being back on the pitch with the boys. It was ten minutes and it also wasn't the result I wanted and we wanted but it's good for my mentality.

"I have been a long time without playing and you don't feel good. It has given me high energy and motivation to keep working and get back fit and 100 per cent.

"It's difficult, just managing reality. I can't live for the past and I also I can't live for the future, just live in the present.

"I don't have a pill that can change my reality, so I have to accept I have the injury, do my best to manage it and be mentally strong.

"There are a a lot of things that have changed in my life that in the end I have to adapt to.

"In the end you cannot lose the happiness. We are very lucky to have this job. We do something that we love. We wake up and play football.

"Not many people in the world have that privilege. So the things that happen just happen and this kind of thing in this sport is a big probability.

"At the beginning it's hard. You get mad, you get sad, and you wonder why you? But it's easier to carry on with a good mood, with a good smile, because if I am in a bad mood, sad, it will not change my reality. It's easier being how I am - and just smiling."

Izquierdo grins and chuckles when I tell him many supporters regard him as Albion's relegation saviour.

"I am grateful that the fans have that confidence in me," he said. "I am not the saviour. We have very good players. In the end it's about the team, we have different qualities that all together make a team.

"I will do my best and what they (fans) want I want too, help the team reach the goal and keep up in the Premier League."